Burial fees may rise

Published: April 5, 2004 8:00 PM

The cost of burials at Northwood Cemetery may increase in the future.

Monday, the Finance Committee of City Council approved raising the cost of all burials at the cemetery by $100.

The issue of a possible cost increase was brought before the committee by Superintendent Fred Huff. With the opening of the mausoleum and chapel at the cemetery, he said, it was determined that additional funds need to be raised to cover operating costs.

A minimum temperature had to maintained inside the building during the winter months to prevent the frosting of the window panes, he said, requiring the frequent use of the heater. And during services, the building must be further heated or cooled, adding to the operating costs.

With this in mind, the committee approved the cost increase, applied to all burials, whether they are graveside or make use of the chapel.

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Should council approve the proposal, rates will increase to:

Weekdays $550

Saturday morning $650

Saturday afternoon $750

Sunday $925

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Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Day $925

Had the chapel use charge been added but use of the building not made mandatory, Huff said few would have used it, though operating costs would still have been incurred.

An option, he said, was to add a charge for chapel use and require all services to use the chapel. Committee members rejected the idea.

The last increase in burial rates at the cemetery took effect Jan. 1, 2003. Before that, rates were raised in 2000.

Use of the chapel during a service reduces labor needs, Huff said, as plywood need not be laid to protect the turf and a tent need not be erected, and those items later removed.

Those using the chapel to date have voiced their satisfaction with it, Huff said, adding that the planned addition of a sound system will make the building an even more attractive option for services.

Huff said rates at the cemetery will be lower than at most cemeteries in the area, even if the proposed increase is adopted. An average of 130 burials take place there annually, as high as five in a single day, he added.

The issue must meet the approval of the full council, scheduled to meet in regular session April 12 at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers, 1131 Steubenville Ave.